Home / Health / Seniors Rally Against BCBS Gym Cut
Seniors Rally Against BCBS Gym Cut
4 Dec
Summary
- Seniors protested Blue Cross Blue Shield's decision to end gym memberships.
- The change affects Medicare Advantage recipients at YMCA and Life Time gyms.
- BCBS cites rising costs and a vendor's price hike for the cut.
Seniors in Minnesota are voicing strong opposition to Blue Cross Blue Shield's (BCBS) decision to discontinue SilverSneakers gym memberships for Medicare Advantage recipients. The change, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, will impact access to YMCA of the North and Life Time fitness centers in the Twin Cities metro area, though Greater Minnesota locations remain unaffected.
Organizers, like Terre Thomas, are mobilizing seniors to protest the move, highlighting the late notification during the insurance open enrollment period. BCBS stated that escalating costs, including a substantial price hike from their fitness vendor Tividy, necessitate these "hard choices" to ensure coverage stability. However, affected seniors express concern over losing access to facilities that provide crucial community and tailored care.
The YMCA of the North is offering discounted memberships to those affected, but anticipates a significant number of seniors may still leave. Despite discussions, BCBS and Tividy have not disclosed the specific cost savings from this program elimination. The situation leaves many seniors feeling unheard and scrambling to find suitable alternatives.
